“Pioneers in the Hills: The Historic Journey of Murree Brewery”
Murree Brewery, established in 1860, is the oldest continuing enterprise in Pakistan. It was founded to cater to the British Raj’s demand for beer and quickly became a prominent fixture in British India. Despite facing challenges like partition and prohibition, it has adapted and continues to operate as a significant business in Pakistan.
Here’s a more detailed look at the brewery’s history:
- Early Days (1860-1947):Established in Ghora Gali near Murree, the brewery initially served British military and civilian personnel. It gained popularity, even among the local population, and was known for its beer in kegs and bottles in British India. The brewery even received a medal for product excellence at the Philadelphia Exhibition in 1876.
- Partition and Prohibition:With the partition of India in 1947, Murree Brewery lost a significant market in India. Later, the introduction of alcohol prohibition in Pakistan in 1977, particularly during the rule of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, significantly impacted the brewery’s sales and distribution.
- Adaptation and Resilience:Despite these challenges, Murree Brewery has shown resilience. It expanded into other products, including spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. The brewery also adapted to changing times by installing new facilities like a canning plant and a bottle filling facility in the 1990s. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it even shifted production to hand sanitizer.
- Current Status:Murree Brewery remains a notable business in Pakistan, producing a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is also known for its single malt whisky, “Rarest Malt Whisky,” which is the first of its kind from a Muslim world distillery. The brewery is currently under Parsi management and ownership